Spain Train Rolls Over Italy

Laura Gil put up a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds to lead Spain in the win over Italy

Spain are the last unbeaten team left at the U20 European Championship Women after making it five straight with a 65-39 rout of Italy.

A game that had appeared close in the first half was blown wide open by a 22-4 third quarter in Spain's favour, banishing thoughts of a second quarter in which they had been held to just eight while Italy scored only three.

Alessandra Tava's jump-shot had made it a five-point game, 28-23, early in the third quarter, but Spain then began a 21-0 run that stretched into the fourth period, sparked by three-point play from Laura Gil who drew a foul while making a lay-up.

Italy at least held their own in the fourth quarter, but the game was long since up against a Spain team that has shown itself to be ahead of the pack so far in Serbia.

Gil led the Spanish with 11 points while Vanessa Ble had 10 points. High-scoring forward Mireia Vila sat out the game with a thigh injury suffered yesterday against the Netherlands.

No Italians managed double figures, with Virginia Galbiati's return of seven enough to lead the team.